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Software firm decries dearth of developers in Nigeria

By Oluwatosin Areo
21 December 2018   |   4:10 am
The Chief Information Officer (CIO), Vatebra, Evans Okosodo, has charged Nigerian youths, especially women, to fill the technology skill gap by becoming...

The Chief Information Officer (CIO), Vatebra, Evans Okosodo, has charged Nigerian youths, especially women, to fill the technology skill gap by becoming software developers because codes are increasingly becoming the building blocks of today’s world.
   
Despite the emerging technology hubs and initiatives across the country, he said there is huge market gap for software developers yet to be saturated.
   
According to the Global Developer Population and Demographic study 2018, the United States currently has the largest population of software developers with 23 million developers projected to rise to 27.7 million by 2023, but Africa is yet to record any significant number.
   
Speaking during the second edition of CODIFY organised by Vatebra, Okosodo said that software programming is still a men’s world with only six per cent women, and urged women and girls to avail themselves of the opportunities in programming.

 
“There is more to programming and networking than coding. Software programmers should be more thoughtful about the value they will add to an individual or firm rather than just the money involved.
   
“There is dearth of software developers in Africa and Nigeria in particular. Africa has only four per cent in the total numbers though expected to grow. Every organisation needs a software developer, especially in this age of growing technology. The few programmers that we have are reducing daily because of the constant local and international poaching,” he added.
   
The CODIFY 2.0 tech meet-up held at Vatebra Innovation Hub, Yaba, Lagos themed: “The Anatomy of code” was organised to reduce technology skill gap, and allow young coders collaborate with experts in the field. It is also meant to help them discuss test-driven developments of android applications, relevance of research design in the development of quality software, live development of a sample membership portal using C#, high-level block-chain programming and many more. Other activities included a fireside chat, networking and breakout sessions.
   
The Vatebra Innovation Hub has the Vatebra Academy, which offers tech-incubation and co-sharing opportunities have been strategically positioned to revolutionise the IT industry by training and providing competent professionals with relevant knowledge in the tech ecosystem and mentorship.
    
In attendance were university graduates, young coders and technology enthusiasts. Speakers at CODIFY 2.0 included Evans Okosodo, Sai Kumar of Belfrics, Mike Aigbe, Nnene Adaora, Jay Ukachukwu, Bode Ogunfuye, and Matthew Omoaka.        
 

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